Tenorio urges fans to ‘be patient’ ahead of first season as Magnolia head coach

PBA legend LA Tenorio has tempered expectations for the revamped Magnola Hotshots ahead of the PBA’s historic 50th season.

Tenorio, who replaced former Magnoilia head coach Chito Victolero in the offseason, urged fans to understand that there will be a learning curve for the Hotshots and his new system.

You really have to be patient and trust the process, especially me as a new coach to them, and the new system,“ Tenorio said.

Magnolia has had productive seasons under Victolero, but has failed to make it past the quarterfinals stage in the last four conferences, a far cry from the success the franchise experienced under Tenorio’s former head coach at Ginebra, Tim Cone, in the early 2010s.

The former Ginebra captain stressed the importance of Magnolia improving every game under his new system.

“I want them to realize na we do not need to win everything. We don’t need to win every game. We just have to learn we just have to get better and let’s see what will happen,“ said Tenorio.

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“PAALAM SA JERSEY, PERO HINDI SA PUSO.”

As he takes on his new role as Magnolia head coach, LA Tenorio penned his message for Ginebra and their Kabarangays, relishing a 13-year stint with the Gin Kings wherein he won all but one each of his 8 PBA championships and 4 Finals MVPs.… pic.twitter.com/9wH5FlfWJP

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 6, 2025

Despite this, Tenorio expressed the team’s potential and desire to reach the PBA mountaintop once again. 

Magnolia boasts a young core of former UAAP standouts Javi Gomez de Liano, Zavier Lucero, and Jerom Lastimosa, as well as the leadership of veterans such as Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, and Mark Barroca.

“It is a good composition of vets and young players, and the good thing about the team is they are hungry. They are hungry to get to that level again,” said Tenorio

“I think kahit sinong coach ang mapapunta dito sa kanila yun yung feel nila yung hunger yung willingness to go to the max level,“ he added.

Tenorio knows what the franchise means for the fans and the PBA itself, which is why he expects the Hotshots to retain their playoff form while transitioning to the former GINeral’s era.

“We just have to be in the playoffs and see what will happen.”

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